Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests Nearly $2 Million to Support Health Care Workforce Training in South Carolina

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a nearly $2 million grant to Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OC Tech) of Orangeburg, South Carolina, to help build a health sciences and nursing training facility. According to the grantee, more than seven organizations have committed to creating 332 jobs as a result of this project.

“The Obama Administration is committed to helping communities develop a workforce with the skills needed for 21st century jobs,” said Secretary Pritzker. “As part of the Department of Commerce’s ‘Skills for Business’ initiative, the EDA investment announced today will support worker training that meets the needs of businesses and workers and keeps America competitive.”

According to the grantee, changes in trade patterns, wood products, and auto parts manufacturing in recent years have resulted in plant closing and job losses for Orangeburg County. The Health Sciences Building will be a 24,000 square foot, two-story structure located on an existing vacant parcel in the heart of the OC Tech campus that will include classrooms, lab, offices, and a conference room. The creation of a new health sciences building will help address unemployment and promote accessible skills training to enable individuals in the region to acquire competitive employment opportunities in the growing health care industry.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The Economic Development Administration marks 50 years of public service, leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.